Uganda mounts diplomatic pressure over detention of activist Agather Atuhaire in Tanzania
The Ugandan government has written to Tanzanian authorities requesting access to Atuhaire, who is believed to be in custody at the Central Police Station in Dar es Salaam.
Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire, who was reportedly arrested alongside Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi in Tanzania, remains missing, with Ugandan authorities now formally seeking answers on her whereabouts.
The Ugandan government has written to Tanzanian authorities requesting access to Atuhaire, who is believed to be in custody at the Central Police Station in Dar es Salaam.
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The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions and widespread condemnation from civil society groups over the treatment of East African activists by Tanzanian authorities.
In a diplomatic note dated May 22, 2025, Uganda’s High Commission in Tanzania expressed concern over Atuhaire’s detention and formally requested both clarification on the grounds for her arrest and permission for consular staff to visit her.
“This is, therefore, to request for information on the above-mentioned Ugandan national in detention at your facility and permission for the Mission staff to visit and talk to her, and ascertain the possibility of her release and return to Uganda,” Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Fred Mwesigye, said.
Journalist and governance advocate
Atuhaire, a respected Ugandan journalist and governance advocate, had travelled to Tanzania for a series of engagements, including attending a court session involving Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu. She was arrested on Monday alongside Mwangi at the Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam.
While Atuhaire remains in detention, Mwangi was forcibly deported and abandoned at the Horohoro-Lunga Lunga border on the Kenya-Tanzania frontier.
His deportation followed pressure from the Kenyan government, which accused Tanzanian authorities of violating the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and denying access to Mwangi while he was in custody.
In a formal protest letter to the Tanzanian government, Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs decried being denied access and information to Mwangi.
“The Ministry notes that, despite several requests, officials of the government of Kenya have been denied consular access and information to Mr Mwangi. The Ministry is also concerned about his health, overall wellbeing and the absence of information regarding his detention,” the Ministry said.
“The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs respectfully urges the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to expeditiously and without delay facilitate consular access to or release of Mr. Mwangi, in accordance with international legal obligations and diplomatic norms,” the ministry added, citing international law.
Mwangi back in Kenya
Mwangi has since returned to Kenya and is set to undergo medical treatment in Nairobi following allegations that he was brutally tortured while in Tanzanian custody.
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) Deputy Director Kamanda Mucheke confirmed the reports of torture and expressed grave concern over Atuhaire’s continued disappearance.
“Hectic day today, but glad that Boniface Mwangi is alive. He was dumped at the Horohoro-Lunga Lunga border early this morning by Tanzanian security agents. His ordeal is horrifying in how he was viciously tortured by the Tanzanian government. His body is broken, but his spirit remains strong as ever. Agather is still missing and was equally ghastly tortured in the same location as Mwangi. We are making arrangements to transfer Mwangi to Nairobi for medical attention,” Mucheke said.
KNCHR also confirmed the transfer plans in a formal update, saying, “He is in high spirits. The commission and other partners are making arrangements to transfer him to Nairobi for medical attention.”
Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid has also called for the release of Agather while confirming the state of Mwangi.
Several regional rights groups and civil society organisations have condemned the Tanzanian government’s actions, calling for the immediate release of Atuhaire and accountability for human rights violations.
“Ugandan lawyer Agather Atuhaire remains missing after being tortured by Tanzanian security forces. As we welcome Boniface Mwangi back home, we urgently call for Agather’s immediate and unconditional release. The despots must fall,” Kongamano La Mapinduzi said in a post.
The Wangu Kanja Foundation added, “As we welcome Boniface Mwangi back home, we urgently call for Agather’s immediate and unconditional release. Where is Agather Atuhaire?”
Despite the growing pressure, Tanzanian authorities have yet to publicly explain the basis for the activists’ arrests or clarify Atuhaire’s current legal status.
Her fate remains unknown, as concern mounts across the region and internationally.
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